It did not pay off. Vancouver claimed Sestito off waivers on Friday, seemingly to replace a similar player in Aaron Volpatti, who was claimed from them Thursday by Washington.

Goaltender Michael Leighton, who was also on waivers, went unclaimed.

One benefit for the Flyers is that they gain contract flexibility by dropping Sestito's deal, but they felt he was a player who could help them down the line.

Sestito, 25, netted 2 goals in 7 games, and dazzled by scoring both of them in a 2-1 win over Tampa Bay in early February.

Leighton, 31, cleared waivers and the Flyers have the flexibility to freely send him to AHL Adirondack over the next 10 days.

TWO SIGN: In an unrelated move, the Flyers announced the signing of two players - goaltender Anthony Stolarz and forward Brandon Alderson - to entry-level deals on Friday.

Stolarz, the Flyers' second round pick (45th overall), has shined in the OHL with London (9-2-1, 2.17 GAA, .926 SV%) since dropping out of Univ. Nebraska-Omaha in December, midway through his freshman season.

Alderson, 21, is an undrafted forward in his 4th OHL season with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. He is the roommate and linemate of Flyers draft pick Nick Cousins. Alderson is a 6-foot-4 right winger who has racked up 57 points in 59 games this year.

The Flyers have had a fair amount of luck (Matt Read, Harry Zolnierczyk) by signing undrafted players, yet both of those were signed from the NCAA ranks and not major junior.

Neither signing will count against the Flyers' 50-contract limit until next year, when Alderson ages out of junior hockey. Stolarz' deal will continue to 'slide' until he is ready to leave the OHL.